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Younus to the fore for Pakistan

Veteran batsman passes 7000 Test runs while taking Pakistan to 163 for 3 at stumps on second day, trailing by 131 runs

Younus Khan went past 7000 Test runs, while taking Pakistan to a safe position at the end of Day 2.

Half-centuries from Khurram Manzoor and Younus Khan helped Pakistan to 163 for 3 in 68 overs on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday (September 11).

Manzoor weighed in with 51 while Younus, who went past 7000 Test runs during his knock, ended the day unbeaten on 52. Pakistan was trailing by 131 runs at stumps after Zimbabwe had been bowled out for 294 during the morning session.

Younus and Misbah-ul-Haq (27 not out) had put on an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 67 to rebuild Pakistan’s innings after it had been 96 for 3.

Manzoor, who opened the batting, faced 128 balls during his patient innings before being run out.

“As per Younus and Misbah's advice I had a more positive innings. If the ball was there to hit, I was ready to score runs. It is a two-Test opportunity for me and I did not do well in the first match. I hope I will do better in this match,” said Manzoor.

Moving the match from Bulawayo to Harare meant that the pitch was hurriedly prepared and not likely to hold up as well as in the first Test, judging by the number of balls that kept low after lunch.

However, Zimbabwe only has Prosper Utseya as a frontline spinner.

“It (the pitch) is going to deteriorate faster than any other wicket and for the obvious reason that the groundsman hasn’t had enough time to prepare it,” said Tino Mawoyo, the Zimbabwe opener.

Zimbabwe began the day on 237 for 8 and its tailenders were obstinate during the morning session with Tendai Chatara (21) and Brian Vitori (19 not out) adding 46 for the last wicket.

Junaid Khan, the left-arm quick, was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 4 for 67 while Abdur Rehman claimed 3 for 47.

Vitori then drew first blood for Zimbabwe with the ball when he had Mohammed Hafeez caught at first slip for 22, before Tinashe Panyangara was rewarded for his controlled bowling by trapping Azhar Ali lbw for seven to leave Pakistan 62 for 2.

Manzoor was the next man to depart before Younus and Misbah paired up after tea.

Younus -- who scored a match-winning, unbeaten double-century in the first Test -- is the fourth Pakistan batsman to reach the landmark of 7000 Test runs behind Javed Miandad (8832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8829), and Mohammed Yousuf (7530).